Perfume Genius @ Lincoln Theatre

Author: Karoline Broerman

Perfume Genius performed at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C. on March 31st, 2026. As the kickoff to the spring tour, Mike Hadreas and Alan Wyffels brought an unforgettable energy both on and off the stage. I hadn’t originally planned to attend this show, but after Hadreas posted on his Instagram story offering a free ticket to whoever sent him the name of a book they hated, I was given my opportunity. 

Walking into the Lincoln Theatre was a new experience for me, but I picked up my ticket from the box office and got settled in as I took in the old charm of the venue. Following the tour supporting 2025’s Glory, Hadreas made it apparent in the leg’s online rollout that this duo tour would be something entirely separate from the previous. Perfume Genius, like other acts including Blood Orange, platformed Dan English, an emerging artist in the cloud-rock genre. Dan and his keyboardist, Madeline Leshner, offered a gentle yet commanding performance that took me by surprise from the very start. Having never heard English’s music, I hadn’t been
expecting the unique guitar tone that contrasted so well with his voice. While many riffs and songs from his Sky Record album caught my ear, the slower pace of the performance left me wanting a bit more.

Following English’s set, Hadreas and Wyffels took the stage, sitting back to back at their keyboards on a stripped-back stage with low-hanging lights. As long-time collaborators and partners, the pair’s connection was evident in their performance. Hadreas had shared online when announcing the tour, “Alan was the first person I ever sang in front of. We’ve played every single show together for 15 years, made every single song and album together. When we started it was just him and I, perched on our keyboards at the front of the stage. I miss playing that way sometimes, how intense it could be when it was just the two of us.” The intensity that Hadreas mentioned was palpable. Hadreas’ delicate, yet powerful voice filled the room as he performed songs like “Perry”, “Full On”, and my personal favorite, “No Front Teeth.” The setlist was a blend of both new and old music, with the pair playing a mix of songs off of Glory, Put Your Back N 2 It, Learning, Set My Heart On Fire Immediately, and No Shape. This tour differed from the rock-driven, expressive performance that Hadreas presented for the Glory tour. Rather than filling the stage with props and lights, he offered a raw and emotionally charged performance with his partner from the comfort of his keyboard. The simplicity of the set design allowed certain moments to shine through. Whenever Hadreas decided to ditch the keyboard throughout the show, the spotlights that shone around his silhouette were breathtaking. At times, I almost felt like I was watching a school play: the performance felt real, keeping the closeness between audience and artist.

Hadreas provided witty banter between songs, even sharing a story about spilling pudding on his shirt before the show. His playfulness stuck with me throughout the night and provided a bit of respite from the heavy topics presented in the music.

It was made very clear throughout the night that this tour was a duo tour. Hadreas got Alan in on the banter and eventually sat beside him to perform the final song of the evening, “Learning.” As the title track off the album, it served as a bittersweet ending to a moving performance. I thought that this song was the perfect way to end the night. Its heart-wrenching lyrics mixed with the sweet-sounding melody make it memorable and hard-hitting. It’s a track that bleeds the same vulnerability that had been present throughout the evening. Watching the two of them perform side by side on one keyboard made it feel like an emotional wall had been broken down. It was clear to me that Wyffels and Hadreas wanted the audience to leave with the memory of the two of them perched on their keyboards at the front of the stage, showcasing an intensity and intimacy that only the two of them can create with one another.

Thank you to Perfume Genius and Adam Nevill’s The Ritual for allowing me to attend this extraordinary show.

Author: Karoline Broerman | Photographer: Jonathan Herrera | Venue: Lincoln Theatre | Date: 03/31/26 | Instagram: oh._.ohkay